City of Houston Considering Floodplain Changes

The City of Houston is considering revisions to Chapter 19 to ensure new dwellings are built high enough save lives and property in the event of flooding.

APPROACH

The City of Houston will reduce the risk of flood loss for future development and redevelopment by ordinance revisions, new regulations, building codes and design guidelines. Existing development will be improved through Capital Improvement Projects, buyouts, home elevations and demo-rebuilds.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Houston's current code only applies to property in the 100-year floodplain and protects 1 foot above 100-year flood elevation. The proposed revisions would include property in the 500-year floodplain and protect X feet of 500-year flood elevation. It would also include no net fill in the 500-year floodplain.

The 100-year floodplain is land that is predicted to flood during a 100-year storm, which has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The 500-year floodplain has a .2% chance of occurring.

PUBLIC INPUT + NEXT STEPS

Public input on proposed changes to Chapter 19 can be made: - through this survey (closes Monday, February 19 @ 5 p.m.) -
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, or - by
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The ordinance will be presented to Council on February 28, 2018.